Chevrolet 2010 Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition

Fans of the new Camaro and the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies can now combine their love of the car and the films with the Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition announced today at Comic-Con in San Diego.

"When the first TRANSFORMERS movie was setting box office records, we had countless customers asking to purchase the 'BUMBLEBEE' Camaro," said Karen Rafferty, product marketing director, Chevrolet. "Now, they can buy one with the new Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition. Streets all over North America will be buzzing in no time."

Features such as an EPA-rated 29 highway mpg on the V6-powered Camaro, Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB connectivity, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar combined with TRANSFORMERS design cues add to the car’s status as a 21st century sports car.

“Hasbro is thrilled to team up with Chevrolet and excited to see the Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition come to market for our fans to enjoy,” said Samantha Lomow, Global Brand Leader for TRANSFORMERS at Hasbro. “The yellow Camaro with the black stripes has become so iconic and closely associated with the BUMBLEBEE character that this edition was a natural fit for both companies.”

While the aggressive styling of the Camaro is unmistakable, true TRANSFORMERS fans will notice some of the unique, but subtle features of the Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition includes the following:

• AUTOBOT® shield on the driver and passenger side panels
• AUTOBOT® shield on each of the four wheel's center cap
• AUTOBOT® shield embroidered on interior center console
• "TRANSFORMERS" logo on driver and passenger doors' sill plates
• "TRANSFORMERS" logo embedded into the hood rally stripes
• High-gloss black center rally stripe package
• Manufacturer’s suggested retail price of package: $995

Dealers are now taking orders for this car. Customers can order the TRANSFORMERS Special Edition as either a Rally Yellow LT or SS model. The optional RS appearance package can also be added.

The V6-powered Camaro uses a 3.6L engine with variable valve timing to optimize performance and fuel economy. It is SAE-certified at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and 273 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm). A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6L engine; a Hydra-Matic 6L50 electronically controlled six-speed automatic, with TAPshift control, is available.

The high-performance Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Manual transmission-equipped models receive the LS3 engine, SAE-certified at 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 Nm). It is paired with a TR6060 six-speed transmission.

A new, L99 V-8 engine is used on automatic transmission-equipped SS models. It is based on the LS3, but also includes GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature. It is SAE-certified at 400 horsepower (298 kW) and 410 lb.-ft. of torque (556 Nm). It is matched with a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed transmission that helps delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway.

FORD CONFIRMS SAARLOUIS AS THE SINGLE SOURCE FOR THE ALL-NEW FORD FOCUS; NEXT-GENERATION FORD C-MAX TO BE SINGLE SOURCED FROM VALENCIA

Image via Wikipedia

Ford of Europe today confirmed it has decided to single source European production of its all-new Ford Focus, which will be launched in 2010, from its Saarlouis Plant in Germany. The next-generation Ford C-MAX, which goes into production in 2010, will be single sourced from Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain for all European markets and potentially for markets outside Europe.

"We announced last March that Saarlouis would be the lead plant for the next-generation Ford Focus – just as it is for the current Ford Focus – but also we said we were looking at a possible opportunity for a second production plant for a derivative of the vehicle," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO.

"Since then, we have continued to evaluate this possibility. We have however concluded that – in line with our global manufacturing strategy with its emphasis on maximizing investment efficiency and utilization of our manufacturing capacity and flexibility – we will single source the next-generation Ford Focus from Saarlouis and single source the all-new Ford C-MAX from Valencia. We can also confirm that Valencia will supply the needs of the European market and potentially markets outside Europe as well."

In March of this year, Ford announced a range of further actions intended to bring its capacity in line with the industry-wide, declining demand and sales. The company adjusted its sourcing plans to meet future business needs, given that demand is unlikely to improve significantly in the European market for some considerable time.

"Our objective is to return to sustainable profitability as soon as we can," said Mr. Fleming. "We've already shown that we will make the necessary decisions and do whatever is required to ensure that Ford of Europe emerges from the downturn as a leaner and stronger company, ready to take on the opportunities presented once the economic situation finally improves."

One Podium Finish And 15 Points In Total For The Cruze In Porto

Image by Patrick Mayon via Flickr

podium finish and 15 points in total: the Chevrolet team can be satisfied with the overall result obtained by the Cruzes in the streets of Porto, in two races (the 99^th and 100^th of the WTCC) that were closely fought and packed with incidents. Rob Huff finished second in race 1 and sixth in race 2, while Nicola Larini finished fifth in race 1.

Nicola was caught in a race incident with Tarquini in the second race, while Alain Menu, at the wheel of the Cruze carrying the 2009 winning livery of the ‘Young? Creative? Chevrolet!” art competition, had a difficult day, as he was involved in incidents during both races. The team is now looking forward to the next event, which will take place near home, in Brands Hatch, a track that has traditionally been very friendly to the Chevrolets.